3 Lesser-Known Willie Nelson Gems from the 1980s

Willie Nelson, the 91-year-old Abbott, Texas-born country star, is known for songs like “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Pretty Paper,” “Crazy” and more. Indeed, many of Nelson’s compositions have since become standards in the country genre he’s helped make famous over the years.

But Nelson has also written and performed hundreds more tunes on his dozens of studio albums that have not quite earned iconic status. Here below, we wanted to affix a spotlight to a trio of those lesser-known (but no less skillful) tracks from the decade of the 1980s. Yes, these are three hidden gem Willie Nelson country songs from that fruitful era.

[RELATED: 7 of Willie Nelson’s Very Best Love Songs]

“Tougher than Leather” from Tougher than Leather (1983)

The tite track from Willie Nelson’s 1983 LP, this song is about a cowboy gunfight. The main character, Ol’ Tougher than Leather, goes from town to town to show off his six-shooting prowess. But he’s stopped in his tracks by a woman he can’t get off his mind. This song from Nelson is a veritable Western film where the protagonist perishes at the end. At his funeral, the woman returns and places a rose on his chest. Then we see the sky and birds, like cowboy souls, flying from once place to the next. It’s a beautiful song, almost Shakespearean, on an album that hit No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums. On the titular tune, Nelson sings sweetly,

He was tougher than leather
And he didn’t care whether
The sun shined or not
When a young kid in Cow Town
Wanted a showdown
He was careless or just maybe forgot
But he died in the gunfight
Blinded by sunlight
Never draw when you’re facin’ the sun
And old tougher than leather
Just carved one more notch on his gun

“Why Are You Pickin’ on Me?” from City of New Orleans (1984)

This swinging acoustic-driven song puts the idea of love and affection on its ear. Here, Nelson sees that a woman is choosing him, wanting to put her affection on him. But Nelson isn’t so sure, so he uses the phrase, Why are you pickin’ on me? Not “Thank you for choosing me” as some others might say. It’s a fun twist on the idea of a woman deciding who she wants to love. Usually the idea of getting picked on comes from an interaction with a bully, not a love interest after all. But on this track from Nelson’s 1984 LP, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, he sings,

You could have your choice of guys around
Why are you pickin’ on me?
Just snap your fingers and they’ll come around
Why are you pickin’ on me?

I’m well aware of this game you’ve learned
To love me then leave and show no concern
And tomorrow, you’ll have other candles to burn
So why are you pickin’ on me?

“I Let My Mind Wander” from Me & Paul (1985)

This slow, meandering country song, which features slide guitar and Nelson’s dreamy voice, is all about love. Sometimes, no matter what we think or how we approach the day, our brain focuses on one particular person. One love interest we can’t get out of our psyche. And on this track from the 1985 LP, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, Nelson croons of that relatable reality. On the heartfelt tune, he sings,

My lonely heart wonders
If there’ll ever come a day
When I can be happy
But I can’t see no way
‘Cause I let my mind wonder

I try to keep my mind busy
With thoughts of today
But imparably, memories
Seem to lure it away

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